Respite Care in Mulberry, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Mulberry, FL: the local picture

1,496

residents 65 or older (36% of Mulberry)

77%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Polk County)

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Mulberry ZIP codes

Most older adults in Mulberry live with someone: 77% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 605 Mulberry residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (32% in Polk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 9 hospices serving Mulberry ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Mulberry compared with Polk County and Florida

Census figure	Mulberry	Polk County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	23%	24%	25%
Residents 65 or older	36%	20%	21%
Residents 85 or older	6.4%	2.1%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	12%	12%
Households with no vehicle	3.3%	5.4%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$54,811	$50,939	—

Older residents in towns around Mulberry

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fuller Heights, FL	1.5 mi	1,741	38%
Willow Oak, FL	2.5 mi	462	45%
Medulla, FL	3.7 mi	1,674	28%
Lakeland Highlands, FL	4.2 mi	2,431	28%
Highland City, FL	7.8 mi	1,941	32%
Bartow, FL	10 mi	3,376	31%

Hospices serving Mulberry

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc	Lakeland, FL	4.9 mi	(863) 709-0099
Empath Hospice, LLC	Lakeland, FL	9.6 mi	(863) 329-2750
Good Shepherd Hospice	Lakeland, FL	12 mi	(863) 682-0067
Lifepath Hospice	Temple Terrace, FL	25 mi	(813) 877-2200
Gulfside Hospice, Inc	Land O Lakes, FL	36 mi	(727) 845-5707

Nursing homes near Mulberry (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Scott Lake Health And Rehabilitation Center	Lakeland, FL	4.0 mi	2 of 5	120	(863) 500-4015
Highlands Lake Center	Lakeland, FL	6.9 mi	2 of 5	179	(863) 646-8699
Bridgewalk On Harden Health And Rehabilitation, Ll	Lakeland, FL	7.1 mi	1 of 5	120	(863) 648-4800
Florida Presbyterian Homes Inc	Lakeland, FL	8.9 mi	4 of 5	68	(863) 688-5521

Straight-line miles from the center of Mulberry. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in Mulberry

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,568 monthly median income of Mulberry households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see How to get paid to take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Respite Care in Mulberry: common questions

Which hospices serve Mulberry?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Mulberry ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc, Empath Hospice, LLC, Good Shepherd Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Mulberry?

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,568 monthly median income of Mulberry households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Mulberry. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide How to get paid to take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO covers Florida.

More near Mulberry

More senior care near Mulberry

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Mulberry

More for Mulberry families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Respite Care in Mulberry, FL